Comprehensive Digital Art Tutorial

[Neverward 210]

Hey there! Welcome to my tutorial. I've never made a tutorial before however I'v been asked to so I thought I'd take a crack at it! I want to let you know now, this tutorial is not 'how to draw exactly this exact girl' but more just a collection of advice and tips for the steps you take while you draw something like this. It's in my own style, so it may not fit everyone's, but I hope that you will learn something from it anyway!

I used Easy Paint Tool SAI for the majority of this piece, however when I was finished with the coloring I moved it to Photoshop by saving it as a PSD. I didn't mention it in the tutorial so keep that in mind!

Are you too lazy for all of this?



CHAPTERS:

Section 1: SKETCHING AND LINING Step 1 - 9

Section 2: COLORING THE FIGURE/HAIR Step 10 - 14

Section 3: CLOTHING AND COLORING Step 15 - 21

Section 4: BACKGROUND AND EFFECTS Step 22 - 26



SKETCHING AND LINING

This section has extra tips. The other sections might not until later.

 

 

 

Sketching tips: 
 
* It doesn't matter what color you sketch with, as long as it contrasts with the color you line with, and the color of the background.
 
* When your sketching the face, first draw a vertical line down the middle, from the center of the crown to where the nose will be, down to the chin in a curve. Draw a horizontal line halfway down in the head for the line that the eyes will sit on, and if you half it again that is the line around the bottom of the nose. Don't rely too hard on the lines when it comes down to lining the face, use them as a guide. Just try to make the face-shape as natural as possible.
 
* When you are thinking of limbs, think of them like 3D shapes if you can, everything is made of cylinders and circles and shapes, like pieces of playdough you shaped and cut apart to stick together. Strive to get a realistic 3D look by thinking about the shape of things while you sketch.
 
* Looking at posing references is awesome. Any picture will do, if your not tracing it and just looking at an image to help you sketch then it's all good. I know allot of people think not using references shows your skilled or something, but I promise that people use references at every skill level 




 

Lining tips:
 
* Use the lines below as an opportunity to spot mistakes. Take for example the left breast on this girl, it was way too small and weird looking in the sketch but that was ok, I knew I'd fix it later. This is when you really want to think about the 3D effect. And try not to use too many lines, this is just an outline. More details can be added later if needed.





Eye drawing tips:
 
* The size of a characters eyes can show many things about them. Cat-shaped eyes make you look more mischievous, narrow eyes make you look older, or more sad, it all depends on the shape. There is no 'set shape of the eye' Of course the more realistic the art, the more set the shape of an eye, but there's still a lot of individuality. At that point you start focusing on fine details, which I'm not covering on such a small piece!
 
* Eyebrows show a whole lot of emotion. Don't underestimate how you place them, and don't forget them! (I catch myself forgetting eyebrows sometimes )
 
* Be free with your colors when you start getting comfortable with color mixing, eyes are fun because the more intense you make them the better they look, they are the most expressive part of any character in my personal opinion.

 

 

COLORING THE FIGURE/HAIR

 

 

 

 

CLOTHING AND COLORING

 

 

 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND EFFECTS

 

 

 

 

 

FIN!

Edited January 26, 2014 by Neverward

[Daruda 16]

Oh, it's wonderful.
If it wasn't for my stupid mouse I would draw something....I would really like some tablet.
Sketching with a mouse is something hardcore...
 

[Neverward 210]

 

Oh, it's wonderful.

If it wasn't for my stupid mouse I would draw something....I would really like some tablet.

Sketching with a mouse is something hardcore...

 

 

 

It certainly is, I realized if I was serious about digital art it would be mandatory. Some people say they don't like the tablet but it takes a while to get used to, like any new medium.

 

They have some good ones for around 50-60 by Wacom who makes a ton of awesome tablets, and I promise that if you get one it will open up a lot of new doors and could expand your style. I still make traditional art all the time, both are good!

[magic2345 252]

Wow, you are right, this IS comprehensive! I tried making something like this (the art, not the tutorial ) once, and it was really fun. Great job on the tutorial!

[+ TBWCS 953]

Amazing tutorial. I know this isn't a walk in the park work, and its awesome that you gave a clear note how to make them. Great work

[When Bugs Roam Ur House 656]

Your tutorial was very interesting to read. The finished product is also very nice! (The lighting and girl/ overal composition looks beautiful. (*^*) )

 

I find it's so interesting seeing how everyone does things differently. I had never thought of doing the skin's colours/ contouring and then drawing the clothes on top of that. Yes, i had always usually done it when i lined.

 

 

I definitely agree though that the sketch doesn't ever really need to be precisely followed. I also definitely agree that by avoiding drawing something challenging, you will never get the practise to actually get better (and maybe come to enjoy drawing whatever was challenging.). No one can expect to get better at something they never do. The problem will always stay there at the same equal level of hinderance.

 

I used to hate drawing hands a lot. (Lol) backgrounds too.. And guys... Lol.

[Tsarmina 2,612]

Well done Nev ^-^ This is a great tutorial and your art looks beautiful by the way! I love it. All the extra tips you gave are super-true and I like your methods (being lazy is a great way to mess around with other parts of the artwork lol) because it feels like you're talking to a person and not to something/one that you expect to be hardcore-orthodox-follower and never get bored.

 

Awesome job!

[Neverward 210]

 

 

Wow, you are right, this IS comprehensive! I tried making something like this (the art, not the tutorial  ) once, and it was really fun. Great job on the tutorial![

 

 

Yeah I have never found a digital art tutorial that tries to take a person through all of the steps, I thought why not! Thank you for checking it out

 

 

Amazing tutorial. I know this isn't a walk in the park work, and its awesome that you gave a clear note how to make them. Great work

 

 

Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it!

 

 

 

Your tutorial was very interesting to read. The finished product is also very nice! (The lighting and girl/ overal composition looks beautiful. (*^*) )

I find it's so interesting seeing how everyone does things differently. I had never thought of doing the skin's colours/ contouring and then drawing the clothes on top of that. Yes, i had always usually done it when i lined.


I definitely agree though that the sketch doesn't ever really need to be precisely followed. I also definitely agree that by avoiding drawing something challenging, you will never get the practise to actually get better (and maybe come to enjoy drawing whatever was challenging.). No one can expect to get better at something they never do. The problem will always stay there at the same equal level of hinderance.

I used to hate drawing hands a lot. (Lol) backgrounds too.. And guys... Lol.

 

 

Hey I'm glad you found it interesting, and like how it turned out (even though I think a more extensive background would have made it nicer!)

 

I agree I know that my way is definitely not conventional, but tutorials that show different styles can help people find their own by showing they can do whatever works best for them or at least that's what I'm trying to show haha.

 

And most definitely, practice is the only way to get better and no one starts good at anything so just keeping away from subjects you dislike isn't the solution. I'm a terrible hypocrite about that though, I ironically struggle with the same things you do (plus feet... and animals. Wow that's a lot of things eh? xD)

 

 

 

Well done Nev ^-^ This is a great tutorial and your art looks beautiful by the way! I love it. All the extra tips you gave are super-true and I like your methods (being lazy is a great way to mess around with other parts of the artwork lol) because it feels like you're talking to a person and not to something/one that you expect to be hardcore-orthodox-follower and never get bored.

 

Awesome job!

 

 

Haha I'm glad you found how relaxed it was a plus instead of being off-putting <3 thanks for coming and checking it out and I'm glad you like it.

 

 

ALSO IMPORTANT EDIT:

 

ADDED THE 1 MISSING STEP, STEP 15. Sorry about that >< I must have missed it...

Edited January 26, 2014 by Neverward

[When Bugs Roam Ur House 656]

And most definitely, practice is the only way to get better and no one starts good at anything so just keeping away from subjects you dislike isn't the solution. I'm a terrible hypocrite about that though, I ironically struggle with the same things you do (plus feet... and animals. Wow that's a lot of things eh?

Urrrgggg, very true lol. Feet..... Especially those toes... -A-

And animals-- arggggggg, i feel like almost every animal is unnecessarily hard to draw. (!) /(-A-")\

 

Also babies... And bald people.. And cars (lol). This is pretty long.....

[Neverward 210]

 

 

 

And most definitely, practice is the only way to get better and no one starts good at anything so just keeping away from subjects you dislike isn't the solution. I'm a terrible hypocrite about that though, I ironically struggle with the same things you do (plus feet... and animals. Wow that's a lot of things eh?

Urrrgggg, very true lol. Feet..... Especially those toes... -A-
And animals-- arggggggg, i feel like almost every animal is unnecessarily hard to draw. (!) /(-A-")\

Also babies... And bald people.. And cars (lol). This is pretty long.....

 

 

 

I made this just for you

 

 

the only thing on your list which I know anything about xD

 

Oh and I hope it's legible.

Edited January 26, 2014 by Neverward

[Tsarmina 2,612]

Lol Nev, your cross eyed bald guy XD

 

I also have trouble drawing guys, it's really not my thing haha. I like my guys "pretty," so that probably has something to do with it. ^^" This probably sounds really weird but I hate drawing bicycles XD

[When Bugs Roam Ur House 656]

(--> are we allowed to talk like this??)

 

XD

Ive always liked looking at/ drawing "hot" guys lmao. Dont you generally find drawing girls more fun though? •D•

 

And bicyles lol. I bet monkeys would also probably be hard to draw.

[Neverward 210]

Haha I honestly don't care if we have a conversation in this topic as long as it's centered around art! I might post little tutorials like that bald guy one once in a while, hear suggestions and I'm also happy to help out if someone has questions about digital art. (and chat lawl)

 

I have always drawn women because I just find their figures more interesting to draw xD men are flat all over (unless they're well muscled) and women are bubbly. I <3 bubbly

 

I wish someone would come out with some really good tutorials on drawing men, but I'll probably just have to take an art class on drawing anatomy or something to really learn it.

 

Bicicles are not easy to draw but it's fun to try! Monkeys are adorable and surprisingly the only animal I can manage to draw well (probably because they're the most human-looking)

Edited January 28, 2014 by Neverward

[Tsarmina 2,612]

Yeah, I like drawing girls better. Or maybe I just like girls better Just kidding.

 

I just think I don't like vehicles.  Bicycles are tough. So are rollerskates if they have enough detail. And don't get me started on motorcycles T_T (but cars are surprisingly easy for me haha) Monkeys are so cute! <3 I like drawing turtles and birds, lol.

[Spectre 829]

Love the tutorial, mate.

Personally I'm not inclined towards cell shading; I tend to use brushes to blend the color in; but I'll try it out just this once for better control. Heck, I'll post the results if you want, too.

[Neverward 210]

 

Love the tutorial, mate.

Personally I'm not inclined towards cell shading; I tend to use brushes to blend the color in; but I'll try it out just this once for better control. Heck, I'll post the results if you want, too.

 

 

Heck yeah I'd love to see. It's to each their own I hope the tips in here help anyway, it's not just for cell shaders!

 

And here's a new tutorial everyone, it's really simple and easy but I was asked this question and I thought it would help.

 

Ever wondered how people make perfectly looping tiles? Well now you can too.

 

[When Bugs Roam Ur House 656]

OH MY GOD.

 

.... O___O Why???????

 

 

 

....... T____T How did i not know about this????

 

 

 

......... O____O Until Nowwwwwww,

 

 

Oh my god. Thank you so much for that. Urg. So much. i always just eye-balled it by hand....

 

 

But nooooowwwww..... noww..... urg. Geez now i know. God, Thank you. SO MUCH. O___O >____<

[Neverward 210]

Here's another little photoshop tutorial, mostly useful for busy textures, or for trying to get a DS feeling out of some tiles. Click on this image to see it full size

 

If your curious which one I chose, I used the one with 12 colors.

Also I used this to create my own DS-style tiles out of the RTP tiles for a quick way to mix resources, which would be a fun way to practice this method!

Edited February 3, 2014 by Neverward

[sateda 14]

That's really remarkable work. The tutorial is also very well done!